IPCC Report: action required to avoid catastrophic climate change

On 8th October 2018, the Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) launched its Special Report on Global Warming. The IPCC stressed that limiting global warming to 1.5°C would require rapid, far-reaching and unprecedented changes in all aspects of society. Ninety-one authors and review editors from 40 countries prepared the IPCC report with more than 6,000 scientific references cited and the dedicated contribution of thousands of expert and government reviewers worldwide. The report stated that there are clear benefits to people and natural ecosystems by limiting global warming to 1.5°C compared to 2°C and it could go hand in hand with ensuring a more sustainable and equitable society.

“One of the key messages that comes out very strongly from this report is that we are already seeing the consequences of 1°C of global warming through more extreme weather, rising sea levels and diminishing Arctic sea ice, among other changes,” said Panmao Zhai, Co-Chair of IPCC Working Group I.

“Every extra bit of warming matters, especially since warming of 1.5°C or higher increases the risk associated with long-lasting or irreversible changes, such as the loss of some ecosystems,” said Hans-Otto Pörtner, Co-Chair of IPCC Working Group II.

Limiting dangerous global warming to 1.5°C is core to the work of Union Aid Abroad – APHEDA. This is vital in protecting the livelihoods, health and human rights of communities we work with across the Asia – Pacific region. The IPCC report makes very clear what the world needs to do. We must urgently act to stop carbon pollution and then dramatically reduce all pollution to zero before 2050. Fossil fuels need to be phased out and there is no scope for new and highly polluting coal-fired energy generation if we want to seriously address global warming.

Union Aid Abroad is working in solidarity with unions across the Asia – Pacific region to respond to this crisis. Increasingly unions are adopting Climate Justice and Energy Democracy as the response. This ensures all workers have a just transition to decent jobs in low polluting industries. Additionally, it creates opportunities for transformation. Workers and communities can own the solution through public and cooperative clean energy systems and low carbon industries. Together we can build a diverse and powerful movement for climate justice!